The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-28
FOR THE UNIvERsALIsr.
THE CONSEQUENCES.
BY MARY c. BILLINGS.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
The next morning at breakfast said
causually: "By the way, Miss Vincent
were you singing that Spanish hymn last
night? I inferred from your converse
ton that you were not acquainted with
the Spanish language. Pardon my mis-
take; the piece was touchingly rendered,
and you have fine musical TASTE" "MeP
exclaimed Miss Cynthia, bridling, 81
never sing, and only play a few marches
which 1 learned years ago." Madam's
face grew frigid, the Professor fdgeted,
and even Franks open countenence as
sumed troubled expression. Recover
ing himself he replied jocularly, "Ah,
Doctor, you have been dreaming! That
second cigar last night was too much for
you. You must have been romanclng
over one of your lady loves billet-doux
and fancied you heard the music OF her
voice." A quick pressure on the toe OF
my boot accompanied this speech, and
taking the cue, 1 answered in similar vein
passing the subject lightly. Presently
we rose from the table. Frank was hur-
rying to catch the eastern train, having
business in the city which would occupy
him through the day, and 1 had other
matters that kept me busily writing. At
night, after Franks return, we strolled
into the garden, and seating ourselves in
rustic arbor near the latticed gate lead
ing into the park, lighted cigars and set
tied down for talk.
"Now, Frank" said I, "please explain
yourself, if it is proper for me to ask it
after this mornings blunder."
Frank elevated his head, and slowly
putting wreath of smoke into the upper
air, said: "It is long and sad story,
at least, for one of the actors in the drama.
All families, imagine, have their 'skele-
ton closet as you of the medical facul-
ty are likely to know; and it is generally
a wise or kindly thing to turn the key,
and open the door to no one outside OF
the family circle" Here / interrupted
him with protest. "Don't,m dear fellow,
reveal any family secrets to me, because
of my happening to be little surprised
and mystified at the occurrence last night.
have not been practitioner for the last
eight years, without endorsing the truth OF
your remark. I would be the last one
to wish to pry into the privacy OF family
affairs which do not concern me-" "All
right I understand and believe you are
the very soul of honor; but really wish
you to understand all the peculiarities OF
this case, and to give me your profession
al opinion,-to pass Judgment upon it
from that standpoint" After a moment
he began: "To go back to the beginning, 1
was about sixteen years old, and attending
a grammar school kept in lower apart
ment' OF the University building. My cou-
sin, Genevieve,t the only daughter of Judge
Carroll, being the only members of the
family at home that summer; the Judge
having died two years previously. Gene
vieve's step-mother, (Madame o., was
away in Virginia visiting her relatives,
leaving the house-keeper and Genevieve's
nurse, (then acting in the capacity OF
lady's maid to herr and two other
servant to carry on the establishment
during the absence of its mistress.
my cousin, who had returned from
school, having graduated with honor,
was beautiful and attractive CIR, and like
many others of her class, full of romantic
notions, and thus it was not strange, that
bereft OF a fathers guiding hand, and feel
ing a natural repulsion against her step
mother and her cold proprieties, she was
easily led away from these by her own
impulsive nature.
"At that time, the University was well
patronized. Among its many students
were a number from the Gulf States and
three or four from Cuba.
"One OF the latter, at that time through
with his regular course OF study, still
fingered to attend a series of chemical
lectures. He was the son OF wealthy fac
tor near Matanzas, and was to succeed
his father in carrying on the business.
This young West Indian conceived pas
sion for my cousin that was sheer idola-
try. He was her attendant upon all posi- |
BILE occasions; he devoured her with his |